Prison Ramen : Recipes And Stories From Behind Bars

186 Pages·2015·4.35 MB·English

by  Collins

Prison Ramen
RECIPES and STORIES from BEHIND BARS
Clifton Collins Jr.
and
Gustavo “Goose” Alvarez
Samuel L. Jackson
With a Foreword by
WORKMAN PUBLISHING • NEW YORK
I dedicate this book to my parents.forgive
me for being a thief of your dreams, but
thank you for showing me what
unconditional love really means.
—G.A.
To my grandparents, Pedro Gonzalez
Gonzalez and Leandra Aguirre Gonzalez.
Without their love and understanding, who
knows where I’d be today. And to Josh
Huttenberger 5/25/1996–11/1/2014.
—C.C.
Acknowledgments
FROM GUSTAVO “GOOSE” ALVAREZ:
FROM GUSTAVO “GOOSE” ALVAREZ:
Clifton Collins Jr., I’m eternally grateful to have you in my life; you are a true
friend.
Special thanks to my loving sister, Sandra Luna, for supporting me during my
lowest points, giving me hope at those times when I felt hopeless, and, of course,
keeping the flame lit for this project in ways too numerous to list.
To Kenia, with faith all things are possible. Love you always.
To Pastor Phil Serrano and Dave Mojaro, behind bars. During the darkest hours
of my life, a word of encouragement from you would brighten my day, giving
me steady hope.
Thank you to my lovely children for their patience and love while they watched
their dad involve himself in a project that probably didn’t make a lot of sense to
them at the time.
To any youngster on the brink of detention: Heed my lessons. I dedicate this
book to you also, with great love and respect.

FROM CLIFTON COLLINS JR.:
To my sister Veronica, for being that moral compass in times when I could not
find my way.
To Pat Barrett, for showing me the value of a big bro and mentor at such a young
age.
age.
To my boy Goose, who pitched this idea in the visitation yard with the smell of
burnt prison dorms still fresh in the air.
Special thanks to my long-trusted friend and lawyer, David Krintzman, for
always believing in me and having a solution to seemingly never-ending
obstacles. Danielle Josephs, whose presence and hard work would always get us
through the day. Tim Cadiente, for his creative support throughout the years and
passion for our project that kept us going in times when we thought we couldn’t.
The Agency Groups’ Marc Gerald, for taking a chance on this way out-of-the-
box project. Molly Derse, for her kind, caring ways. And, of course, that beast of
a house Workman Publishing, with Mary Ellen O’Neill, a passionate talent,
collaborator, and godsend; and Selina Meere, with her publicity wisdom. And a
giant thanks to all my friends for contributing to this book. I love you guys!
Contents
Foreword by Samuel L. Jackson
Introduction
About the Recipes
1
Accessory to Ramen
NUTS TO BUTTS
Butt-Naked Ramen Soup
DEAR JOHN
Hot Chili Corn Chip Pie
WET BEHIND THE EARS
PB&J Ramen
STATE ISSUE
State Issue Soup
CLOSE CALL
Ramen Tamale
SYSTEM OF IDENTIFICATION
Ramen Burger
INSTANT KARMA
Ramen Instant Karma
THE KILLER GREEN THUMB
Sweet Crunchy Salad
BREAKING BREAD
Trejo’s Machete Ramen
SEND ME A MAIL-OUT!
Orange Porkies
LOCK IT UP
Onion Tortilla Ramen Soup
REGULATED DUEL
Spam’en Soup
HARD ROCK, HARD TIME
Slash’s Jaywalking Ramen
KILLING FOOD
Avary’s Jailhouse Hole Burrito
DON’T FORGET THE BIRDBATH
Keep It Fresh Ramen
SUPERCOP
Sloppy Ramen Joe
BLANKET CALL
Ramen is the new Ramen
PRISON STETHOSCOPE
Frankie’s Soup in the Hole
ERROR BREEDS SENSE
Egg Ramen Salad Sandwich
THE BEAT OF MY OWN DRUM
Fibrillation Salad
2
Solitary Dining
EVERYDAY HUSTLE
Ramen Beef & Broccoli
ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Long Sentence Soup
PRISON INK
Chicken Honey Ramen
FINAL TIMEOUT
Ramen Chowder
PIMP TO WIMP
Ramen, Red Potato & Tuna Toss
SALTPETER
Soldier’s Salute Ramen
NO STARS BEHIND BARS
Wet Ramen Burrito
THE ART OF CARRYING A WEAPON
Ramen Spaghetti
ESCAPING, FOREVER
Caldo de Pollo (Chicken Soup)
THE APPRENTICE
Ramen for a Newcomer
BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER
Ramen Beef Bowl
PRANKING TO PASS THE TIME
Baked Chicken Ramen
PRISON BOOTS
Dirty Ramen
NO WARNING SHOTS
Ramen Torta
BLACK AND BROWN GET DOWN!
Spicy Ramen Rice Casserole
EYEWITNESS TO MAYHEM
Ramen Goulash
ROMEO {FROM ALL SAINTS DAY} ADDRESSES THE COURT
Romeo’s “Ramen con Pescado”
NO HERSHEY SQUIRTS HERE
Ramen Pot Roast
PREPARING FOR BATTLE AT THE CONJUGAL VISIT
Ramen-Agra
AN EYE FOR AN ONION
Ramen Chinga Soup
ROTTEN PIG
3
Gen Pop
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS
Cheesy Meat Tacos
LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Hit Man Burritos
CHARLIE
Ramen Bean Dip
UNCONTROLLABLE TEMPER
Spicy Shrimp Spread
MAYBE TOMORROW, MAYBE NOT
Chicken Ramen Tostadas
MOVIE NIGHT
Jailhouse Popcorn
THE CELLMATE CHALLENGE
Rascal’s Ramen Pastrami
EXPRESS MAIL
Ramen Trail Mix